ArmInfo."At the end of 2020, the number of smokers in Armenia is expected to decrease by 3-5%," Armenian Minister of Health Levon Altunyan said in an interview with ArmInfo. A government meeting on August 3 approved the Strategy on Smoking Control for 2017-2020.
As Armenian Minister of Health Levon Altunyan presented the document, the strategy's goal is to take measures to reduce the use and consumption of tobacco, and protect public health. In particular, the following measures are planned within the framework of the strategy: legislative regulation of the process, in accordance with international norms, resulting in restrictions on tobacco smoking in public places and in premises, the terms of reference of the competent authority controlling the process and the procedure for the circulation of electronic cigarettes , Clarified the concept of secondary smoke and forced passive smokers, as well as a ban on advertising of tobacco products. The Ministry of Health also plans activities aimed at raising public awareness about the dangers of tobacco.
Thus, the expected results of the activities carried out within the framework of the strategy for 2017-2020. In particular, the reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use (by 1.5-2% per year), the relative decrease in the prevalence rate of tobacco use among men aged 15 and up to 10%, and the reduction in exposure to second-hand smoke. At this stage, as Levon Altunyan explained, there are no measures of responsibility for violations of these requirements. Only after the development of relevant by-laws within the framework of today's concept, at the end of the current year, liability measures and the amount of possible fines will be established. "So, smoke less," - Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan called after the presentation of the concept to combat smoking. Let us remind that at the end of May the Minister of Health Levon Altunyan at an event dedicated to the International Day without Smoking, which was held under the slogan "Tobacco is our common enemy", announced the development of a law banning smoking in public places.
The law provides for the prohibition of smoking in all public places. It was also noted that the program is expected to rise in price of tobacco products by 30%. "This law can meet opposition, but we are ready for this," - said the Minister. According to the minister, a particularly productive step in the fight against smoking is a "blow to the pocket" of a smoker, and not a psychological effect. "The purpose of the anti-smoking program for 5-7 years to reduce the number of smokers in Armenia by 30%," - said then Altunyan.
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